Ugandan finds malaria prevention medicine
A Ugandan has discovered malaria prevention drug. Enock Ndyabanawe, a retired civil servant, who said he had never been a scientist by training, said he came up with the idea after observing his cow eating an avocado seed.
By Anne Mugisa
and Taddeo Bwambale
A Ugandan has discovered malaria prevention drug. Enock Ndyabanawe, a retired civil servant, who said he had never been a scientist by training, said he came up with the idea after observing his cow eating an avocado seed.
He said he crashed the seeds and took them to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards for tests.
Ndyabanawe said the scientists found that the seeds were not dangerous to humans and advised him to take them for a chemical analysis at the National Chemotherapeutic Research laboratory. The laboratory said the seeds were rich in nutrients needed by the human body.
He was then taken on by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute as part of the team to carry out more research on the avocado seed.
They came up with several health products, which included the pure extract called Avocine. This was found beneficial against HIV/AIDS, cancers, diabetes and autoimmune disorders. It was also found to regulate cholesterol.
The others were Avocine fortified with beet root, a blood cleanser, and Avocine fortified with garlic.
Ndyabanawe was speaking at the National Youth Convention at Makerere University on Tuesday. Over 8,000 youth are attending the convention aimed at discussing ways to address unemployment in the country.
According to Ndyabanawe, the anti-malarial drug had reduced malaria infections in some places by 30%.
A dose of Artavol, which has been patented, can prevent malaria infection for six months. It can also kill the parasites that may already be in the blood.
Malaria is one of the leading killer diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
Artavol, which is taken as a beverage, is made from avocado seed extract mixed with extracts from Artemisia and lemon grass.
The health ministry, which has been carrying out research on the drug, is to start large scale trials in households in Entebbe, Kaberamaido and Kabale districts, according to Patrick Ogwang, a pharmacist who is heading the project.
The results will also soon be published in international journals. “We have already drafted a paper,†Ogwang said.
Who is he?
Enock Ndyabanawe, 61, is an accountant who has worked since 1976.
He said he worked with the Ministry of Defence for six years, then with that of education from 1983 to 1994.
He retired to his farm in Kayenje village in Nyamirama sub-county, Kanungu district in 1994.
and Taddeo Bwambale
A Ugandan has discovered malaria prevention drug. Enock Ndyabanawe, a retired civil servant, who said he had never been a scientist by training, said he came up with the idea after observing his cow eating an avocado seed.
He said he crashed the seeds and took them to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards for tests.
Ndyabanawe said the scientists found that the seeds were not dangerous to humans and advised him to take them for a chemical analysis at the National Chemotherapeutic Research laboratory. The laboratory said the seeds were rich in nutrients needed by the human body.
He was then taken on by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute as part of the team to carry out more research on the avocado seed.
They came up with several health products, which included the pure extract called Avocine. This was found beneficial against HIV/AIDS, cancers, diabetes and autoimmune disorders. It was also found to regulate cholesterol.
The others were Avocine fortified with beet root, a blood cleanser, and Avocine fortified with garlic.
Ndyabanawe was speaking at the National Youth Convention at Makerere University on Tuesday. Over 8,000 youth are attending the convention aimed at discussing ways to address unemployment in the country.
According to Ndyabanawe, the anti-malarial drug had reduced malaria infections in some places by 30%.
A dose of Artavol, which has been patented, can prevent malaria infection for six months. It can also kill the parasites that may already be in the blood.
Malaria is one of the leading killer diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
Artavol, which is taken as a beverage, is made from avocado seed extract mixed with extracts from Artemisia and lemon grass.
The health ministry, which has been carrying out research on the drug, is to start large scale trials in households in Entebbe, Kaberamaido and Kabale districts, according to Patrick Ogwang, a pharmacist who is heading the project.
The results will also soon be published in international journals. “We have already drafted a paper,†Ogwang said.
Who is he?